Maybe I've just had bad luck but today was the pits.
I called the dealership because my '2000 Tracker had three problems - AC didn't work - Clunk in the underbody when cornering - Exhaust noise problem
They said to bring it in last Saturday.
Fine.
I bring it in.
I get a call back. The AC problem is beyond the comprehension of the weekend crew. Bring it back on Wednesday.
Fine.
I bring it back on Wednesday.
I get a call that they need a bunch of parts and it will be three days.
Fine.
I get another call that the exhaust is fixed but they want the loaner car back so can I come and get my car. The AC isn't fixed yet. I asked if everything else was dealt with. The guy wasn't sure, but he needed the loaner back.
I figure I paid enough for my extended warranty that I'm going to keep that loaner until my car is *fixed*.
They say they should have the parts to fix the AC by Tuesday. I tell them that I absolutely must have my car on Tuesday night because I'm leaving on a trip Wednesday morning. No problem.
I call this morning and ask what the situation is. No parts yet, not sure when they'll come in. I ask if they've checked the clunking, and they say that one of the guys took a look and didn't see anything. I told them that they have to take it for a test drive and *hear* it.
Anyway, I figure 'screw it, no parts so I'll just get the car back'. So I drive up there and the counter lady says "Oh, we got the parts this morning, they're working on it now." Nice. I ask if they checked the clunking. No idea.
I go home.
I call them later. What's up? They say the AC is fixed, come and get it. I ask about the clunking. They say they need parts, and it'll be three days to get them. I'm leaving TOMORROW on a 2000km drive, and they need three days to get SUSPENSION parts for a car that they've had for TEN FRICKIN' DAYS.
I pick up the car. I drive to Wal-Mart to buy a cooler, and the AC doesn't work. I drive back to the dealership. I ask the counter lady how long it should take the AC to blow cold air. She says the engine has to be warmed up. I stare at her. She starts to explain confidently that it's just like the heater. As she's explaining this a service guy in a t-shirt comes through the door, hears what she's saying, and I see his eyebrows going up. I say, "Okay, I'll ask *you*. Does the engine need to be warmed up for the AC to work?" He says "No." He offers to come out and check it out with me. Turns out he's a higher level service guy. We go out to the car, and he confirms that the compressor isn't running. He takes it right in. Half an hour later I get it back and it works. The guy who put the AC parts on didn't bother checking it afterwards. The fuse was blown.
So now, after 10 days, I have a car with working AC, and no exhaust leak, but with ball joints that are sloppy.
Why, for pity's sake, didn't they CHECK everything when they first got it and order all of the parts for EVERY problem right away, instead of dealing with one problem at a time?
The only (!) bright side is that everything (!) is covered by the warranty.